Koala deaths: 11 dead in a month on Northern Rivers after being struck by cars

A shocking photo has emerged illustrating the horror impact of koalas being struck by cars, with almost a dozen koalas killed across the last month on the Northern Rivers’ roads.

Juvenile koalas pushed from their habitat and searching for food – and a mate, are being hit on North Coast roads. ​

A shocking photo has emerged illustrating the horrific impact of koalas being struck by cars, amid a spike in tragedies involving the endangered Aussie icon on Northern Rivers roads.

Koalas are increasingly at risk on our roads and in our backyards as the region develops further into koala habitat – another blow as chlamydia has ravaged populations in recent times.

Friends of the Koala in Lismore has released photos showing a koala mowed down on the Bruxner Highway near Tatham Road – a stretch notorious for koala hits.

The wildlife rescue organisation has been called to more than eight fatal strikes since November.

There have been 13 vehicle hits in the wider Northern Rivers region over the last month, 11 of which have been fatal.

Ina Egermann, Lismore area rescue and wildlife carer with Friends of the Koala in Lismore said koala lives can be saved if people would slow down at night.

Roads out of Lismore have been littered with handmade signs warning motorists of wandering koalas in the area.

While the majority of hits are likely accidental, any koala death is significant considering dwindling populations in northern NSW and much of the country.

Fears have been raised that the iconic marsupial could be wiped out by 2050 – though work is underway by scientists, expert vets and wildlife groups to turn the tide.

Australian wildlife forms a big part of our everyday lives; the humble magpies morning serenade through to the laughing kookaburra, our emus, koalas, wallabies, turtles and kangaroos have shared life with us in the home and country we call Australia.

Foreigners perceive us and our wildlife as quintessentially Australian.

Sure we have Don Bradman, Holden utes, thongs on the beach, barbecues, Gallipoli, mateship and Aussie rules – and these things are important – yet it was the koala that was the face of our darkest bushfires.

Rescued Koalas recovering from an alarming increase in both domestic and wild dog attacks.

Ina Egermann came to Australia from Germany ten years ago.

After the 2019 bushfires she quit her job to help hurt koalas get better.

“I found Friends of the Koala and had originally wanted to stay for two months and I’m still here (three years on),” Ms Egermann said.

After fires and floods destroyed habitat, koalas are moving around a lot more searching for food, and a mate.

“They are encountering more roads, more humans and more dogs,” Ms Egermann said.

“We have three dog attacked koalas in our Lismore hospital, from dogs in backyards which koalas cross through – or where a dog has not been restrained.

“It’s a big thing.”

VIDEO: After a very serious dog bite to the hand Jaxson has his 4th visit to Friends of the Koala.

With degrees in social work and education Ms Egermann believes many people are preoccupied with current life pressures leaving them less time for wildlife.

“We have also seen a spike in car hits at the moment,” she said.

“Now that the alpha males have started defending their territory they are pushing the younger males out.”

Juvenile koalas have been spotted on power poles and on fences in peoples yards that normally don’t have koalas in them.

“Established koalas know where they want to go because they know their habitat, so if there was a road that fragments their habitat then they will cross that road relatively quickly,” Ms Egermann said.

“If it’s a young koala still trying to work out where is what, I have seen them sit down in the middle of the road.”

As the area co-ordinator for the Lismore area Ms Egermann said drivers weren’t all to blame.

“What we would like is for those who have hit an animal to call us.”

Friends of the Koala can be reached at [phone].